In some ways, this 1968 Chevrolet Impala Custom Coupe seemed unusually ready for the decade was to come. It was a new model for 1968, featuring a Caprice-like roofline; additionally, our featured Impala has Ash Gold paint and a black vinyl top, both of which would remain in style as the 1960s became the 1970s. Barn Finder T.J. found this extremely nice survivor here on Marketplace in Pickens, South Carolina, with an asking price of $28,000. That price seems high for a car that has “no power options,” but on the other hand, it has its original paint, original vinyl top, only 41,000 miles, and most importantly, “no rust.”
When the seller says that his Impala has no power options, he means it. It has the basic 200-horsepower 307 small-block, which was new for 1968, but it also lacks power steering or power brakes, let alone something as expensive as air conditioning. Be that as it may, the detailing of this engine compartment is impeccable, at least in pictures. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a basic Impala dressed out so nicely.
Look at the finish on the exhaust manifolds, the alternator, the master cylinder—it’s exquisite. The brake lines look new, too, but I want to point out a few more areas of interest under the hood before moving on. First, this car has an air pump, which was standard on any 1968 full-size Chevrolet with a manual transmission, and although the Marketplace advertisement labels this car as having an automatic, I can see a clutch Z-bar at the lower-right-hand corner of this picture.
And in some pictures, such as this one, I can see a clutch pedal, so this appears to be a 307/three-speed Impala Custom Coupe, which couldn’t have been a common combination. The all-vinyl upholstery was available in gold, seen here, and it’s in immaculate condition. Even the clear plastic floor mat appears to have walked straight out of Western Auto, circa 1971.
If there were any doubts about the transmission, this image of the column shift should dispel them; not to mention, we can get a better view of that clutch pedal. I for one love the dashboards of big Chevrolets of the late 1960s, with their big fonts and sporty steering wheels.
The seller has posted no pictures of the undercarriage, but given the condition of the trunk floor, this car seems to be one of those unicorns: a basic run-of-the-mill car that someone for some reason babied its whole life. What a find.
This car reminds me of my neighborhood in the late 1980s: I was a middle-school car kid, and someone a few blocks away had a white 1968 Impala Custom Coupe with sinister red “427” badges on the front fenders. This car’s “307” badges won’t evoke the same emotions, but the blackwall tires, basic hubcaps, and original condition make this an Impala I’d nonetheless love to have in my garage.
What a blast from the past. Nice one, Aaron and T.J.! My dad’s uncle had this exact car: a two-door, same color, same engine, everything – except that he had the seats reupholstered with velour inserts. Being a Minnesota car, the frame was so rusty after only a decade or so that it actually broke. He had it “fixed,” which lasted for a few months before breaking again. My dad dragged it up to our place (in the early ’80s), and it sat outside in the woods for decades. It was still sitting outside in the weeds until about a decade ago, when my mom had it hauled away. A sad ending to a cool car.
I,d leave the 307 fender badges and install a Shafiroff all alloy 615 low deck engine ..
Right ~ only another $19,000 plus the trans, driveshaft, diff, axle, & suspension upgrades. You could do it all for maybe $100,000.
The 307 is not a lost cause in the HP and torque arena. While limited by a small 3.875 inch bore it responds well to performance heads, increased compression, better camshafts and improved induction. Go with a .030 over bore with 10:1 ported 58cc heads, a larger cam (.500+ lift) and a 650 carb can get you near 350 HP. It would be a real revver as well, which would prompt me to add a Muncie M22 Rock Crusher and .411 gearing. Add headers, duals and maybe some wider rear rims and tires, but painted same as is and you would have yourself a real sleeper here. I would also have to go with vintage air, power front discs and power steering.
I’m pretty sure Derek frim Vice Grip Garage built up a very healthy 307. It was a few years back. It did very well on the Dyno for what it was. That would be fun to just see what you could squeeze out of it.
I always thought the 307 a better Bore/Stroke setup than the 305 that came along in the later 70’s and 80’s.
Slightly. I think too much is made out of this. The 305 still was an over square engine (bore larger than stroke). By contrast, a Pontiac 326, with a smaller bore than a 305, was an under square engine. Built the same way, the 305 and 307 are almost identical.
I used to know a guy who owned a speed shop and built a 307 that would lift the front tires of his 69 El Camino.
Way overpriced, it may be nice, but who’s going to pay that much for it in stock condition. As a potential engine swap candidate, that makes even less sense, you don’t pay $28,000, or close to that, for what would basically be a roller.
You either like it as it sits or you find something else.
Steve R
Agreed, Steve. You can put me in the “like it as it is” camp, but not at 28 large. This is maybe a 20k car.
I had the same car in 1983, but it had a powerglide. I bought that car for $100 and even back then, it wasn’t this clean. Like Steve said, $28 large is a stretch for this car.
A lot of money here but that engine compartment is CLEAN. Upgrades for me would be dual exhaust, power brakes and a passenger mirror. Again a very clean Chevy here.
I’ve built my collection by biding my time and jumping on cars I want when they come available at a fire sale price. Two I’ve bought were on Barn Finds and even identified by BF as bargains. This Impala, as the author mentions is overpriced.
Nice. Even has one of the cable retainers for the engine still affixed. For some odd reason I always look for those in photos of this generation Chevy full-size.
Good luck with your fishing expedition. Too many $$$$$
Nice car and if it had a 327 way more desirable. The 307 was a crappy engine. I had 2 of them. This car with its manual is still rare.
Black walls on the right and red walls on the left? Something seems a little sketchy here.
its clean. engine looks tidy and 3 on the tree. i guess the seller feels because it has redlines it worth 28k
The A.I.R based engines actually ran a little better on those early emissions cars than their non A.I.R counterparts. The air pump was used to clean things up, rather than overly lean fuel mixtures. It is basically a non-emission engine otherwise. I have never seen this setup on a 307.
A low-pop Turd. Hard PASS
Good grief. Does it at least have a heater that’s standard!
But it’s a Chevy so it commands a price premium in the viewpoint of your typical Bow tie fan. This is a nice car for what it is which is basic transportation back when new. I believe the seller is too optimistic about this but no harm in tossing a big ask out there and see if it sticks.
My neighbor in my hometown bought a new ’68 Impala Custom Coupe. Red, black vinyl roof, full wheel covers, I believe a 327 and a 3-speed tranny on the column. Nice, nice car.
This one is obviously a special order car and kind of an enigma with the transmission and no power options. But, a nice color combo with potential, not to hop it up, but add power steering and brakes, and, hmmm, maybe a/c.
…and full wheel covers too. After all, it is an Impala Custom with a formal roofline. Dog dish won’t cut it.
Very nice clean, well cared for low mileage car. A vacuum booster is an easy cheap addition.
The 307 was a turd. I had 2 ’68 307. If the original buyer would have upgraded to the 327, 275 hp this car would be worth a lot more. Today finding a 3 or 4 gear in an Impala is rare. Back in the day that’s what we drove. I had two 327 3 gear and 1 4 speed and all of them would run. THEN, marriage and a baby seat changed everything until I got older and got back in hot cars when I had the money.